Meet the Australian who’s made millions from her groundbreaking coaching programs specifically for dance studio owners… but only AFTER she CUT 60% of the content from her initial courses. What? Yes… it was the best thing she could have done. The biggest mistake many info-preneurs make is overloading their new members with too much content at once. And sadly, in the quest to ‘wow’ our clients, it simply overwhelms them, and they slip away. But in this case, she nailed it, leading to even better results for her clients.

On today’s episode of #GlambitionRadio, my 3-year Premier client Chantelle Bruinsma, CEO and Founder of Studio Expansion, has solid advice that I want everyone to hear: simplify, simplify, simplify. You’ll hear in detail the dramatic changes she made to improve her program conversions and retention, and how she changed as a leader in her business as well.

But how did this all begin? Years ago, Chantelle founded a successful performing arts studio in Sydney that rapidly expanded to six venues in just four years. With a team of 35 teachers and over 1,000 students, Chantelle was not surprisingly asked to share her strategies, and that’s how Studio Expansion was born. She is on a mission to redefine the studio business by helping studio owners succeed, experience more passion, more profits, and more purpose.

With Chantelle at the helm, Studio Expansion’s online community has helped studios from around the world attract more students, boost retention, and build a loyal team. And she’s helped some larger organizations as well which have contracted with her for consulting and partnerships, including Dance Informa Magazine, Kindermusik International, and Jackrabbit Studio Management Software. In addition, Chantelle has sat on multiple Performing Arts Boards and acted as an Ambassador for national organizations such as Music Count Us In, ABC’s Sing Books, Schools Spectacular and The Arts Unit. It’s pretty clear this gal is dedicated to the performing arts, period.

On the show, we also discuss:

*How to make launches IRRELEVANT to your business (doesn’t that just make your heart sing?)

*The importance of what I call purposeful perception™ and how Chantelle used it toposition herself to truly be in a league of her own and incomparable to any other ‘coach’ or training in her industry

*The question Chantelle always asks herself to determine whether she can build a scalable business for the long haul

*Her tips on how to build and keep an incredible team (her hiring process is key—her job descriptions alone are three pages long)

*In her own words, what she’s gained from being part of my Premier Group (and why she renewed three years in a row)

*How you can build a legacy by focusing on your community

*The importance of NOT letting your market tell you how to run your business (YOU are the one who leads)

*How her first marriage made her commit to never shrink herself in both her professional and personal life

*Chantelle’s sharp response to a few trolls who viciously tried to sabotage her business

**This was one of our juiciest interviews EVER with tons of practical information you can apply to your business right away.**

Orangetheory Fitness has grown to 1,100+ studios across the U.S. and in more than 23 countries—in just 8 YEARS. Last year the company reached $1 BILLION in systemwide sales. The Orangetheory Workout is now conducted in eight different languages, with 800,000 members worldwide. Impressive, to say the least.

But what I wanted to know was, how did Ellen go from training clients out of her home to suddenly collaborating with expert partners* to franchise the concept worldwide? (*The same guys who grew Massage Envy and European Wax Center to astounding franchise growth.)

On today’s episode of #GlambitionRadio, Ellen walks us through the moment she unexpectedly got fired from her spa fitness club job, and then, step by step, leveraged her skills to build a fitness business of her own. And then, *the single serendipitous moment* that determined her future as Orangetheory!

What I love most about Ellen is not only her clear passion and dedication to improving people’s lives, but how seamlessly she and her partners worked—and still work— together to consistently build out Orangetheory Fitness.

Pay attention: This woman DOES THE WORK.

On the show, we also discuss:

*What makes the Orangetheory workout so different than other fitness classes (the key is its individual heartrate-monitored training that’s designed to stimulate metabolism and increase energy)

*What Ellen’s football coach father taught her about building off your strengths versus obsessing on what you don’t have, and how his advice continues to guide her strategic business decisions

*What Ellen’s 3 P’s are behind the phenomenal growth of Orangetheory—people, program, and process—and what they each mean to her.

*Why she and her partners decided to HALT growth of the entire company one year in order to tune things up (it had to do with making sure they were partnering with the right franchisees; this was really interesting and showed how much they cared about the long-term success of the business)

*Why Ellen is still VERY involved with the business on a daily basis (even though she could have easily ‘cashed in and checked out’ by now)

*What Ellen has to say about all the copycat fitness franchises popping up now around America (her answer is exactly why Orangetheory is thriving)

On the show Ellen and I also discuss why you should believe in your potential (and why you need to also attach action to your potential), the importance of having the right support systems all around you, and why her photo is posted inside every school in Niagra Falls, N.Y. 🙂

It’s been a crazy few weeks with two sick kids (alternating, so there always seems to be one home), a lost phone in Mexico (a situation I learned to embrace), and working on a book proposal deadline.

And now that I’m feeling a bit more settled in this week, I wanted to drop you an update on some upcoming events and travels.

1. JUST A FEW SEATS LEFT AT MY UPCOMING ‘I.P. RETREAT’ IN PHOENIX

Join me for 3 full days of turbo content creation, March 19-21. But not just any content… ICONIC content. Powerful‘intellectual property’ (I.P.) designed to further your message, mission, and great work. I.P. that piques interest, provokes thought, gets talked about, gains followers, and attracts the right clients and customers.

I designed this private workshop especially for my high-end clients who need uninterrupted time in a stimulated environment to focus on creating the work that will truly help them stand out in 2019 and beyond. A handful of seats are still available, by application only.

Please note this is NOT a beginner event: We’re going to go deep, be bold, and move fast. We’ve already got a fantastic group of high-performing thought leaders registered to attend. Details and registration at IPRetreat.com.

2. APRIL — MEET ME IN MIAMI BEACH

Right now I have either April 15 or 16 available for a VIP Strategy Day while I’m in the area. If you’re on the East Coast, this is a great opportunity to get my private consulting without having to travel far.

Clients have used these days to map out how to best scale their current model(without implosion), position themselves for higher-end fees and clients, plan their next level of growth, drive a creative “sharp right turn”, or birth a whole new brand that matches where they’re really feeling called right now, among other objectives. We’ll set an agenda based on your needs during a private pre-call before we meet, and a follow-up call is included as well.

I’ll be in New York to do some filming in May, and as of right now I have either the 15th or 16th, open for a VIP Strategy Day as well.

Again, if you’re on the East Coast, this is a great opportunity to get my private consulting without having to travel far. Inquire here and mention NYC.

4. SAVE THE DATE: NOV. 5+6, ICONIC 3.0 in PHOENIX!

ICONIC is an advanced workshop for women leaders and entrepreneurs who are ready to get off the launch hamster wheel and now truly step into their great work, creating the most powerful chapter of their careers.

If you’re tired of seeing the same formulas taught over and over (and that don’t work anymore), you will love how I work, the leaders I attract, and the breakthroughs this content creates. Get ready for a fresh perspective, incomparable positioning, and hugely profitable possibilities. Stay tuned for when we announce registration is open. 🙂

Xo Ali

P.S. If you have questions about any of these opportunities, Jen Clark on my team would be happy to talk with you. You can email her at Jennifer.Clark@AliBrown.com.

You’ve got the high-paying job, the praise, the house, the car, the marriage… you should feel accomplished, right? Not always. My friend Kelsey Ramsden ticked off all the boxes, and even after major achievements such as being named Canada’s top female entrepreneur (twice!), she still felt frustrated and lonely. Talking with other entrepreneurs, Kelsey realized she wasn’t the only one experiencing what she now calls a “success hangover”. So… she wrote the book on it.

I SO agree with this conversation: It’s time to start giving ourselves permission to have very different goals every few years — what may have satiated us at the last stage of our careers will not (and should not) as we gain new perspectives, wisdom, and skillsets. It should be expected for our goals and ambitions to evolve.

By the way, Kelsey literally moves the earth with her businesses in civil construction and real estate where she builds highways, airports, and communities. (She dialed in for our interview from Montserrat, where her company is bidding to help rebuild their infrastructure after the huge hurricane a few years ago.)

Forbes has written that Kelsey, “…is a master builder of ideas, businesses and sky’s the limit futures”, so you know this conversation is going to be GREAT.

On the show, we also discuss:

*The life-changing adventures she leads three times a year (including a wild story about a sniper training workshop)

*How men and women experience the success hangover differently (you may be surprised)

*How she handled the angry emails she received from people who didn’t like her book! (these comments were amusing to me)

*The importance of creating work that can stand alone (I really appreciated this distinction)

*Her theory on confidence vs. competence, and mindful imperfection

*How having cancer reshaped how she looks at her life, her career, and the choices she makes

On the show Kelsey and I also discuss the importance of knowing the numbers in your business, why you should put high expectations on the people you surround yourself with (yes!), and the advantages of letting people see the real you and not just the Instagram you.

Head over to iTunes and listen to this episode of Glambition Radio now (or download it for later). And don’t forget to pick up your copy of “Success Hangover”wherever books are sold and hear Kelsey’s own podcast, “Futureproofing”, which I’ve appeared on!

I’m guessing you’re likely all too familiar with the often difficult balance of juggling your feminine qualities within the world of entrepreneurship. Historically, feminine qualities such as sensitivity and intuition have been perceived as weaknesses in our society. But think about the possibilities if those traits were encouraged instead. What if you brought more femininity to solving challenging situations… instead of repressing those traits?

In this week’s episode of #GlambitionRadio, co-authors of “The Feminine Revolution: 21 Ways to Ignite the Power of Your Femininity for a Brighter Life and a Better World”, Amy Stanton and Catherine Connors, discuss how to think about feminine qualities in a different way. In the well-reviewed book, these gals flip previously disparaged feminine traits on their head and turn them into traits to instead embrace. The Feminine Revolution empowers women to see how sensitivity and intuition are important advantages, not traits we should subdue.

Both women have unique backgrounds in helping empower female voices. Amy is the CEO and Founder of the Stanton & Company, a lifestyle and PR agency that helps promote and build positive female role models and messaging for women. Previously, Amy served as the first-ever CMO for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.

As the co-founder and CCO of Maverick, as well as the Founder and author of the website Her Bad Mother, Catherine has been helping mothers navigate motherhood, womanhood and raising empowered girls since 2006. Named one of Time’s Top 25 Blogs of 2012, HerBadMother.com has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, just to name a few.

On the show, we also discuss:

*How Amy and Catherine not only came up with the idea for the book but how they each brought their own femininity to the collaboration process

*The thought process for the name of the book, and why they think it will spark a movement

*The key reason why Amy and Catherine believe society won’t be able to have a conversation about female equality without looking at what it means to be feminine

*How The Feminine Revolution fits into the current media narrative of gender inequality

On the show, we also discuss how failures are really blessings in disguise, why we need to give ourselves space to explore our feminine qualities, and why we should keep in mind that every day is a new day.

Cathy has been featured on MTV, ABC News, and Fox News, and she is on the prestigious Advisory panel of and a contributor for Oxygen Magazine and Strong Magazine. In a revolutionary move, Cathy recently created her own fitness event aptly called “Be Amazing”, where participants are celebrated for their health, instead of being judged.

It’s probably not a surprise to you either when I share she’s done incredibly well with all her businesses, which generate multiple 7-figures a year while helping others achieve their dreams.

*The lightbulb moment Cathy had when she realized her love offitness could bring her a healthy income

*Cathy’s mic-drop exercise for women who get stuck in a victim mentality and can’t escape their ‘story’ (ohhhh… this is powerful)

*How Cathy became one of the top leaders in Isagenix and is now showing others how to make passive income of their own (this gal is at the top of her game)

*What it was like to be featured on the early MTV reality show “I Want The Perfect Body”

*Her thoughts on my ICONIC event and how it changed things for her (strategy + action is key)

*The beautiful story of her deciding to adopt a daughter from Korea to complete her dream family of four

*What Cathy has in store for the rest of 2019!

On the show Cathy and I also cover why you should always do the work and trust the process, why you should never settle in either your personal or professional life, and the importance of always putting family first.

In 2015, one of my longtime followers pulled me aside at an event, and quietly shared, “I knew the moment you were back.”

I paused and considered the observation.

Hmmm. I was never ‘gone’. I had been very actively working on and in my business, growing our programs, managing the team, advising my high-end clients, and out there speaking and networking.

And then I realized what she was actually talking about: my thought leadership.

(When I use that term, it’s not loosely. I mean being truly a thought LEADER… not just anyone who has a bevy of followers online.)

I paused to consider. Hmmm.

I HAD been sharing some very astute observations, opinions, and advice… but then I realized: It had only been with my inner circle of high-end clients.

None of these powerful statements had been made publicly or even outside of that ‘safe space’ where I knew everyone would agree with me.

And once I started, it was a bit scary. Believe me… I turned off many of my longtime followers who wanted back the ‘old’ me. But it was time to say what I needed to say, and go where I needed to go.

And it worked. My new ‘edge’ was gaining me new followers daily who were saying things like ‘Thank God we’re hearing this from someone!’ ‘I love this unique content.’ ‘This is the conversation we’ve been having, and we thought we were alone!’ etc. And I was now attracting a higher caliber of client who ‘got’ me and was ready to work at my level.

>>> Hands down, I’d have to grade focusing on new, innovative I.P. as by far the biggest game changer of my career.

Now, back to when I was inadvertently ‘cocooning’ my opinions. I thought this situation was individual to me at first.

But at my recent workshops, I was struck by seeing brilliant leaders inadvertently hiding their strongest voices and positions on issues by limiting them to their inner-circle audiences.

So often, on our way to building the business that supports our mission, the time we make to create groundbreaking models and content becomes lessened and lessened.

It’s a critical time for changemaking entrepreneurs and thought leaders to develop and disseminate their most powerful I.P.

I.P. is intellectual property. ‘A work or invention that is the result of creativity, such as a manuscript or a design, to which one has rights and for which one may apply for a patent, copyright, trademark, etc.’

Basically, it’s content you create for a reason.

But I don’t just want you to create more content.

I want you to create ICONIC I.P.

>>> ICONIC I.P. is content that …

Piques interest

Provokes thought

Gets talked about

Gains followers

Attracts the right clients and customers

And this kind of I.P. does NOT happen in between calls at your desk!

You need structured stimulation for it to happen. Dedicated time and space.

And if I could wave a magic wand and create any new initiative for your business growth right now, it would be THIS. Because not only will this accelerate your mission and platform in a more powerful way, but it’s one of the best ways to automatically STAND OUT in your industry.

That’s why I’m leading a BRAND NEW PRIVATE WORKSHOP to help you do just that.

My first recommendation may surprise you, and that’s not what to take on, but what to let go of. And I give you my special secret formula to identify those things quickly. You can’t move into your true ICONIC work until you decide what’s NOT up to par for you anymore. And I’m not even talking about habits, etc. I’m talking about what is ‘taking up room’ in your business model, for a start.

Then, I share with you that with all the noise and chaos in nearly every industry right now—especially for those of you who represent yourself and your offerings online—what YOUR absolute BEST move could be right now to not only stand out from the pack, but attract the ideal clients and followers you’ve been wanting.

I also share a sneak peek at my upcoming workshop, ‘ICONIC Content + IP Retreat, happening in Phoenix, March 19-21. Because I filled most of the seats at my recent ICONIC event, there are only 12 spots left. This is a very different type of retreat, with only 30 participants total, where we’re going to roll up our sleeves and break into your ICONIC messaging and models… on the spot. (For more info now and to reserve your seat, go to www.IPRetreat.com. But I walk you through all the details on the show, so it would be good to listen as well.)

It’s a critical time for changemaking entrepreneurs and thought leaders to develop and disseminate their most powerful content and I.P. (intellectual property). To TRULY step into being a thought leader – and I don’t mean just posting positive platitudes online to a bevy of followers (there are plenty of those). I mean REALLY leading your audience to a new way of THINKING.

But making time for any of this in your everyday business life is nearly next to impossible. It’s time you create a place and a plan to get your true messaging out there, and I share how you can be sure to make this happen in 2019.

Entrepreneurs with kids often underestimate the importance of good childcare to support our careers and our missions (not to mention our marriages)! And you can thank Lynn Perkins, CEO and Co-Founder of UrbanSitter, for creating an app that makes finding even last minute childcare easier and more trustworthy than ever.

What’s different about UrbanSitter than any other app or site is it plugs into your existing social networks to find sitters and nannies. So for example, you can link to your Facebook network, school, church, or other community organization, and you’ll instantly see the sitters that are being used regularly and recommended within. Even better, most sitters will respond to your job post within minutes, making it actually feasible you’ll find childcare last minute for that important meeting that popped up this afternoon.

On today’s episode of #GlambitionRadio, I have Lynn walk me through how she came up with this genius idea and began to test and scale the venture, step by step. (She now has over a million users in 50 cities, with the company facilitating over 700,000 babysitting jobs!)

Lynn (who is also a mom of twins, so we had a lot to chat about ;)) also shares how she went about raising $50 million in VC funding from top-tier investors including First Round Capital, Advance Venture Partners, and Canaan Partners. Keep in mind she was nearly always pitching to rooms of men who were not her target market, so Lynn shares on the show how she learned fast how to get their attention and take this seriously.

On the show, we also discuss:

*How she decided which features to start with and NOT to start with when launching UrbanSitter (those of you who are perfectionists have to hear this tip)

*Why UrbanSitter pays sitters their full rate and does not take a cut (this was an interesting part of their model I did not realize)

*How they started marketing UrbanSitter without paid advertising

*How her entrepreneurship has helped her marriage have “food for conversation” (her husband just started his own venture as well)

*The importance of carving out at least 3 hours every week for self-care when running a business

*And… her most personal embarrassing babysitting story (This is a classic! I couldn’t beat it.)

Lynn and I also discuss the importance of women selling the “big picture” when talking about your company, why you shouldn’t be afraid to launch your product or service in the beta stage, and why writing every morning and every evening can help clear your mind and prioritize your goals.

If you ever watched the shopping channel QVC over the years, you likely caught a glimpse of this gorgeous, well-spoken woman introducing you to a new clothing staple or beauty product you couldn’t live without. Lisa Robertson was arguably the network’s most popular and best performing host of all time, generating a huge fan base and generating billions of dollars in revenue. In 2012 she launched her own Lisa Robertson Collection to create and feature her own designs as well as more of her favorite things, and she moved on from QVC in 2014.

But why did she really leave, and how has the transition been for her?

During this episode of Glambition Radio I was happily surprised at how open and forthright Lisa was in talking about the transition. You’ll also hear about her entire journey of her 20-year career in hosting and sales. (Did you know she first got started doing night shifts at another shopping channel, talking to herself (and the occasional inebriated caller) for hours a night? She tells the story during our interview.)

She gives us a sneak peek into her life now, and her new online business, after leaving her cable career. Her stunning Pennsylvania home is now the ultimate décor showroom, and she live-streams frequently to show off her wares and give decorating tips.

(I found myself entranced in the middle of a workday… watching a full 10-minute demonstration on how to make the perfect Christmas bow. And I suddenly felt I had to up my holiday decorating game. That’s her magic. I was sold.)